Post shading, paint marbling, black basing, paint modulation?

Howdy!

You have probably heard the saying about talking the talk, walking the walk... There are lots of names or should I say buzzwords, in the end they don't mean a thing. When you build a model you want it to look in a certain way, right? And then the important question comes - how do I do that? And you can watch youtube for hours (sometimes very helpful), but in the end you have to give something a try. Time to get some of the man up pills and just try. Some take a plastic spoon for that, some an old wrecked model, and some an actual build. Sometimes something gets ruined, and sometimes even mistakes give you very interesting results.

Now I've been a little vague so far... If you want to know if preshading is better for you than postshading, I say you try both and see for yourself. Or try something else entirely - if you like it, then that is OK, too.

I would just like to recommend that you look at "the real thing" as opposed to trying to copy a look of somebody else's model. That will give you better models in the end.

I hope my writing helps you in some way - good luck with your project(s) and have a nice day!

Paweł

I agree with Pawel.  Sometimes you just have to decide on a technique and give it a try.  Every model I have built over the last few years since getting back into it represents my evolution of skills and techniques.  I have a whole bunch of shelf queens that I will be getting back to eventually (mostly because of life-changing events, but some are just because I got burned out and lost interest at that time), and they are also examples of various new build techniques, painting techniques, and so on.  You just have to get an idea and go for it.  Sometimes it will work...sometimes it won't, and you learn something new with every success or failure.  There's really no right or wrong way to do things with modelling.  About the only "wrong" way would be to get caught up in "what if"s that you never move forward.  I studied the techniques of others, but in the end, I just ended up coming up with my own.  Its all about what looks good to you and what you have the skills and materials to accomplish...that only comes with time and lots of practice.

Eaglecash867

I agree with Pawel.  Sometimes you just have to decide on a technique and give it a try.  Every model I have built over the last few years since getting back into it represents my evolution of skills and techniques.  I have a whole bunch of shelf queens that I will be getting back to eventually (mostly because of life-changing events, but some are just because I got burned out and lost interest at that time), and they are also examples of various new build techniques, painting techniques, and so on.  You just have to get an idea and go for it.  Sometimes it will work...sometimes it won't, and you learn something new with every success or failure.  There's really no right or wrong way to do things with modelling.  About the only "wrong" way would be to get caught up in "what if"s that you never move forward.  I studied the techniques of others, but in the end, I just ended up coming up with my own.  Its all about what looks good to you and what you have the skills and materials to accomplish...that only comes with time and lots of practice.

 

Very interesting point you made there. That's what I like about modeling. There's no right or wrong way to do someting, as long as it works. I will definitely heed your advice, and Pawel's too. Thanks

Sort of echoing what the other guys said...the worth of any decorative technique like those you mentioned is directly related to the success with which it can be carried out...which effectively means practice (or a bootload of 'dumb' luck) is the only answer. Once you've tried a few...seen the strengths/weaknesses and difficulties of each...then you'll get a better idea what will give you the result you're looking for.

Then -- either to confuse the issue further, or (my real intention) simply suggest another option -- you might also experiment with drybrushing techniques. Essentially another sort of 'post shading,' I've always found it easier, more controllable, and generally less frustrating than many of the other 'buzzword' techniques around. (And I've occasionally had comments complimenting me on my use of those other techniques...when it was really just good old-fashioned dry-brushing, done after the fact, that caught the same 'look' with what to me seemed like much less effort and angst.)

Just my . Good luck with your project, whichever way you go. Hope you'll share it with us when it's completed! 

Teenage Modeler

...Now my 2 questions are,

Why would someone choose one over the other...

Because the result looks good to him.  Pure and simple.  And that can depend on a host of things.  For example, is he going for accuracy, that his model looks like the real thing? Is he going more for an impression, the "artistic" choice.  That's just to name two motivating factors

Teenage Modeler

And, what technique should I use for my F4U?...

Whichever one you like.  At this point, as a new modeler, you're probably not too familiar with executing a technique, but you have seen results.  Decide which result, which look, you like the best, and go with it for this build.  If it turns out the way you like, then you can work on improving it.  If it does look good, and not just because you're a beginner, but you just don't like it, you can try something else on your next build.

For me, personally, I don't use any of the techniques you mentioned, because I don't like the way they look.  Pre-shading and heavy panel lines don't look natural to me, so I don't do 'em.

In the end, it all comes down to what we each like.

Lot's of good advice.  Check out lawdogs recent post regarding using Uschi splatter templates - looking into that for sure.  I've also become a fan of Flory washes for tonal variations as well.

BTW all this reminds me of a great diorama I had seen, maybe at the nationals, years ago of a ground crew post shading the panel lines on a bomber.  It was hilarious, but I couldn't find a pic.  There was some caption like 'we've got to get these panel lines done' 

keavdog

Lot's of good advice.  Check out lawdogs recent post regarding using Uschi splatter templates - looking into that for sure.  I've also become a fan of Flory washes for tonal variations as well.

BTW all this reminds me of a great diorama I had seen, maybe at the nationals, years ago of a ground crew post shading the panel lines on a bomber.  It was hilarious, but I couldn't find a pic.  There was some caption like 'we've got to get these panel lines done' 

 

That sure is funny. That must've been a nightmare to post shade all those panels on a real plane.